Giglio Castello: the medieval village atop the Isle of Giglio, far from the busy port

In the hilly interior of the Isle of Giglio, at 405 metres above sea level, Giglio Castello is the island's oldest village: a medieval settlement grown up around the Rocca Aldobrandesca, a fortress built by the Pisans and later strengthened by the Aldobrandeschi family. Its walls still enclose the historic centre today, amid olive trees, holm oaks and maritime pines, with views that on the clearest days reach Monte Argentario, Elba, Montecristo and even Corsica.

The 15th-century church of San Pietro holds an ivory crucifix attributed to Giambologna and the relics of San Mamiliano, the island's patron saint, celebrated every 15 September with processions, the Palio degli Asini donkey race and dancing in the square. The village made it onto the list of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, and despite that it remains one of the island's least crowded spots: the resident population has fallen from 1,196 in 1921 to 557 in 2011, and day-trippers tend to stop at the port rather than climb all the way up here.

Between one alley and the next, it's worth trying panficato, a traditional sweet made with figs, raisins and chocolate typical of this part of the island.

Getting there

Giglio Castello is reached by car or local bus from Giglio Porto, where ferries from Porto Santo Stefano dock; the climb is a few kilometres along the road that crosses the island.